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Tony Panko

 Anthony Paul Panko

November 12, 1944-November 11, 1989


Born in Ottawa, Illinois, Tony Panko wasn't a skater but he made a very important contribution to the figure skating world as a costume designer for Holiday On Ice. He passed away in San Francisco, California on November 11, 1989 at the age of forty-four.

Tony's obituary from the "Bay Area Reporter": "Tony Panko passed over to the other side on Nov. 11, after a brave four-year struggle with AIDS and KS. His loving friend of seven years, Ted Shuffle, was at his side in their apartment in San Francisco. In spite of intense suffering, Tony was cheerful and uncomplaining to the end. He waited for his friend, Ted, to fly back from Europe to say goodbye before passing on. Tony was born in Ottawa, Ill. He served in the army and saw duty in Vietnam. He was a multi-talented artist, florist and decorator. He worked in San Francisco for Podesta-Boldacci, and more recently as a costume designer for Holiday on Ice in Bern, Switzerland. He had friends all over the world and he brought joy to every life he touched with his kindness and generosity. He truly loved to give. He was lovingly irreverent, funny and outrageously irresponsible. Completely irreplacable! A one of a kind. We will all miss you and love you, dear Tony."

*Source for inclusion: Obituaries, "Bay Area Reporter", November 23, 1989

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